Bayer, Spaeth named All Conference

Senior Sam Bayer and junior Jordan Spaeth were named All Conference in football for the Bulldogs, who went 3-6 this fall, the team's best record since 2002, when they had a similar mark.

Senior Matt Hansen and junior Brett Savelkoul earned honorable mention honors in the West Central Conference South this year.

Bayer, who played linebacker on defense and a number of positions on offense, was third on the team in tackles and second in defensive points (274). He had 78 tackles (30 solo), two interceptions, one sack, and one fumble recovery.

On offense, he played center last year, switched to tackle this fall, and then switched to fullback during the season. Bayer was very coachable and hard working, said coach Ted Nett, and willing to help the team in any way possible. At fullback this fall, he rushed for 159 yards and two touchdowns.

He also served as the Dogs kicker and averaged 41 yards per kickoff. He earned honorable mention honors last year.

Spaeth played guard on offense and linebacker on defense. He led the team in solo tackles (33), total tackles (88), fumble recoveries (4), and defensive points (320.5).

He also was a leader on the offensive line, paving the way for 1,562 yards rushing this year.

Nett said Spaeth is a hard worker on both sides of the ball, who did a good job as the strong guard and inside linebacker this fall.

Hansen, who was All Conference last year, started in the secondary and at wingback for the Dogs this fall. He was the Dogs' second leading pass receiver, catching 11 passes for 162 yards and two TDs.

Hansen was also fifth in the team in tackles (53) and fifth in defensive points (187).

Nett said that Hansen was very coachable and was probably the team's cover corner and also good at hitting in run support.

Savelkoul led the team in rushing yards (709) and scoring (40 points, scoring six touchdowns). He was also second in tackles (80) and third in solo tackles (25). He also led the team in kickoff returns (22.2 yard average) and punt returns (22.5 yards average).

Nett said Savelkoul got better and better as the year progressed. He has a natural instinct for cutting and finding holes to run, said Nett. He also had a great nose for the ball from his safety spot on defense and great in run support.

These awards were announced this month at the team's end-of-the-season banquet.

The team this year finished the regular season with two wins (over BOLD 35-21 and over Benson 18-13) in their final three games before losing in the first round of the section playoffs. The team also ended the year with strong numbers. The key to next year will be keeping those strong numbers, said Nett, who would like to use greater depth to have more one-way starters, thus resting players better and providing greater depth.

The Dogs this fall, in finishing 2-5 in the West Central Conference South and 3-6 overall, also lost games due to fourth-quarter touchdowns to Lac Qui Parle Valley 14-7 and to Morris 45-40. Morris won a share of the conference title and reached the section final.

Turning around a few key plays and the Dogs could have finished much better than 3-6, said Nett.

One disappointment, on the other hand, was practice attendance following the Dogs' wins against BOLD and Benson, he added.

"We could be a decent team (next fall)Š," said Nett. "Kids and coaches alike have a lot of stuff to work on."

The junior varsity this fall finished 5-2, and Nett praised assistant coach Chris Theis for his work with that team. The ninth grade rebounded from a 1-4 start to finish the season 4-4.